Startpage review
A free metasearch engine that anonymizes queries and offers a proxy for visiting results.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Nov 2026
Startpage is a free metasearch engine for people who want mainstream web results without having their queries logged or their results profiled. It sends anonymized queries to external search and content providers, then presents web, image, video and news results. The service works without an account and is available on the web, iOS and Android, with a Chrome extension for browser privacy tools. It suits privacy-focused users who want familiar search categories and controls without signing in.
Search settings include region and language filters, plus Safe Search with three levels. Instant Answers cover weather, currency conversion, dictionary and translation. Anonymous View proxies visits to search results, adding a privacy option when opening pages from search. The separate Chrome extension includes tracker blocking, privacy scores and reports. These features make Startpage broader than a basic search box, though the distinction matters: Anonymous View is for visits opened through that feature, rather than a general-purpose browsing mode.
Startpage relies on external providers, including Google and Bing, rather than maintaining its own website index. That makes it a fit for people who value query anonymization and access to provider-powered results, but less suitable for anyone seeking an independent search index. The core search service is free; settings can be saved with an optional cookie or URL rather than an account. Email and documentation are support channels. Choose Startpage for no-account search, privacy controls and broad result categories; consider another engine if its external-provider model or Chrome-specific extension does not fit your needs.
Startpage pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Anonymizes queries sent to external search and content providers
- Offers web, image, video and news search with region and language filters
- Anonymous View proxies visits to search results
- Where it doesn't
- Relies on external providers rather than maintaining its own web index
- Anonymous View is a proxy for visits to search results, not a general browsing mode
- The browser extension is available for Chrome
Startpage fact sheet, pricing and score →
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